4 AFRICAN WANDERINGS.

climate, as well as spirits aftd bodies dying of ennui of a life of

quarantine, united to a devouring longing for the healthy, white-

skin-producing North, urged us as soon as possible to quit for

ever this unhealthy city, as well as the arid steppes of the Bellad-

Sudan. Our purpose was still more strengthened by the first ex-

pedition to the source of the White Nile, having sailed while we lay on sick couches, and with it went the main object of our journey. At this time, the Grand Cadi paid us a visit, while his attending Faki remained standing at the doors. We fancied he had come

to have a talk with us, or hold a small court of inquiry as to a

matter in which I was principally concerned. The case was this we had allowed the poor mother and sisters of our two servants

to occupy one of our out-buildings, and for some days I had ob-

served a tall young Faki, in white garments, and with an immense

rosary round his neck, creep over the court to the window, and

write some characters on the ground before her door. I asked the

sons what the priest did there, and was told by them, with sad

faces, that he wrote charms, or amulettes, for the women, and that

they had to give up their wages to pay him ; that he was a greedy

miser, and had already received so much that they had nothing

left for themselves. This angered me, and I went across the court

to him, and asked, "Amie e ?" (What do you ?) but without honour-

ing me with a glance, or even rising for a Nasrani, or Kafr (Infidel),

he replied, " Di schogie betai

! " (That's my business!) Next mo- ment I had him by the arm, and, pointing to tlie gate, desired him

to quit our court ; but he would not, and striking his breast, ex-

claimed, " Ana Faki ! " (I am a priest), and I retorted by " Ente

uachet Faki misaur ! " (You are a cheating priest and robber !) and

only on ray laying hold of a piece of stout stick lying handy, did he, with many threats, quit the court. Hardly had I again sat down and cooled somewhat, when a violent knocking was made at our

gates, before which a crowd of Faki and other rabble had gathered.

Our servants, who had not been long under my training, retreated in

terror, and would not venture to open the court gates, until T, double-

barrelled gun in hand, went to our house door, and in loud voice,

ordered the gates, with an " Hab ekta el hal

! " to be opened. " Stand

still! " said my sick brother, in feeble voice, as he laid his double

rifle over my left shoulder; and a lad of the name of Sale, from

Mahaff, who was anxious to enter our service, also laid hold of a rifle.